Ben Hadden | Page 7

their hearts on getting the box of gold.
Have it they would, and they made all sorts of excuses to get away
from the ship, that they might take it with them. John Hadden was a
man who not only would not do wrong himself, but would stop others,
if he could, from doing it.
"Mates," he said, "I do not want to quarrel with you, or with any other
men; but the goods on board this ship must remain just as we found
them. I am sure that my own lads will bear me out in what I say: none
of us will touch them."
"Oh, we always have heard that you were a very strict man, Mr Hadden,
and now we find it true enough!" replied one of the men, with a sneer.
"No," said John Hadden quietly; "I only say, `Do right, whatever comes
of it.' If we take the goods on board this ship, we should be doing
wrong. And others doing so, won't make wrong right. That's all."
"Well, well; we don't want to quarrel. We wished you to share; but if

you won't, you won't, and neither will get it," answered the other; "so,
Mr Hadden, let's say no more about it."
John, honest and true himself, did not think that any trick was going to
be played him. The other men joined him and his sons, with seeming
goodwill, in getting out warps, and in heaving overboard some of the
cargo. Thus they worked on till night stopped them. There was a
promise of a fine night; and so, making fast their boats under the lee of
the wreck, they prepared to spend the time on board till the return of
day. Of course, they had to keep a watch on deck. The first watch was
kept by the Haddens; the morning watch by the people of the other boat.
When John Hadden and his sons awoke in the morning, and came on
deck, the other boat was gone, and so was the box of gold, which had
been left in the cabin.
Daylight returning, a white speck was seen away to the northward. John
Hadden, as he looked through the glass, knew that it was the boat of
those who had been with him. There were some sand-banks, and a
narrow passage through them, by which a long distance might be saved.
At certain tides this passage was dangerous, even in fine weather.
"The foolish fellows are making for the Gut!" exclaimed John Hadden.
"I would not try to go through it for any sum." Just then some clouds
were seen driven across the sky by a squall; the wind struck the boat.
"She's lost! she's lost!" cried John Hadden, in a tone of pity. Over went
the boat; nor she, nor her crew, nor the box of gold were ever seen
again.
The ship was soon got afloat, and was brought by John Hadden and his
brave sons into harbour. They gained a large sum for saving the ship.
"I told you," said John to his sons, "do right, whatever comes of it. This
time, much good has come to us; so it generally will. If it does not,
never mind; we don't see the good--that's all. God knows best what is
best. Still do right."
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Note 1. When the name and character of a vessel met at sea are not
known, it is spoken of by sailors as `a stranger'; of a stranger they say
he, but a known vessel is named she.
CHAPTER THREE.
A SHIP IN DISTRESS.
As yet the sun seemed always to have shone on little Ben. He had a
good fond mother to look after him at home, and a kind father who set
him a good example, taught him well, fed him well, and never took him
to sea in bad weather, or let him suffer any hardships which could be
helped. Seldom could a merrier, happier fellow than Ben then was be
found. Dark days, however, were coming for him, of which he little
thought. Thankful, indeed, should we be that our ever-kind God does
not allow us to know beforehand what we may be called on to suffer.
The summer passed away, the winter returned, and the large luggers
being once more laid up in harbour, John Hadden and his sons went
home to spend their Christmas. It was a very happy one. Nearly all the
family were together; two sons had returned from sea, a daughter had
come home for a visit from service, and many a pleasant evening they
spent as they sat over the cottage fire, while the sailors recounted the
adventures they had met with in their voyages to distant lands. The
fishermen had also their tales to tell,